Customer Reviews

Make Believe: The Broadway Musical in the 1920's

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Ethan Mordden is one of the finest writers working in the area of musical theatre and opera. His insights are not only spot-on but witty and revealing. This book is another welcome addition to his works and to the works written about American musical theatre.

It is difficult to conceive what a fertile time the 1920's was for musicals. Today we consider ourselves very lucky to have more than eight new musicals open on Broadway in a season; back then, it was not uncommon to have more than five times that many. Mordden's skill lies in his ability to delineate the feel of the era, and he is able to dissect, with surgeon-like skill, the strengths and liabilities of each show he discusses.

He not only tackles the well-known shows of the decade ("Sally," "No, No, Nanette," "Good News," "Show Boat") but gives equal attention to the flops as well. Operetta and musical revues such as George White's Scandals or Ziegfeld's Follies are also given plenty of coverage. In fact, I can't think of a major show from this era that Mordden does not cover.

It is clear that Mordden loves and respects his subject. He knows, too, that many of the shows of this time are thin and poorly constructed, but he never sidesteps or apologizes for this material. If you are looking for hard-core facts, this is not the book for you: Mordden is somewhat skimpy in giving particular dates. But if you want an entertaining and comprehensive analysis of a dizzying time in the American theatre, give this book a try.

Ethan Mordden has added another book to his fine list of books looking at the history of musicals. Make Believe, The Broadway Musical in the 1920's, will have something for those with little prior knowledge of musical theatre history as well as a little something for those with far too much knowledge of musical theatre in the twenties. As usual with Mr. Mordden, the clearly presented chronology and history comes complete with fascinating anecdotes and interesting opinions. This is a fascinating period in the history of musical theatre as artists and stars and formulas both tried and fought against change until the triumph of Show Boat arose from the water. The reader will get a clear understanding of the era through this book as well as a cotton candy nostalgia for a period of time one did not even live through.

This is the first in a series of eight books Mordden wrote on the history of the American musical. This is a book for the true lover of the musical who wants to hear every story and relishes the development of the musical from reviews and operettas to what we recognize today. Silly plots, the great stars, the "new dance sensation" wedged into every musical and the wonderful music (and some not so wonderful) written by the likes of Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, and the Gershwins.

I had the book in my hands in three days. It was, as advertized, a brand new copy.

Mordden is the best writer about musical theatre. He knows the subject in and out, and writes in an engaging and fun style. That said, his earlier works are much stronger. He doesn't use footnotes or include a bibliography, so when he makes his often problematic assertions, you have only his word to go by. He doesn't back things up.